Talk TV

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 04/08/2011 15:24

Channel 4's award-winning campaigning project Battlefront profiles the journey of young campaigners on a mission to change the world.

 

This third series will follow six campaigns - the first five are detailed below. Could you be the face of the sixth? Is there an issue you'd like to present to the watching nation? Take a look at the five and see details for how you can take part.

 

● Joseph Hayat, 18, and Hafsah Ali, 17, from Lincoln and Leicester: Joseph and Hafsah want to break the cycle of youth unemployment by increasing work experience opportunities for young people.


● Rymel Lawrence, 18 from Hackney: Rymel wants to get young people off the streets and into dance to prevent them hanging around or even getting involved in crime and gang activity.


● Billy Bridge, 15, and Richard Sargent, 18 from Ellesmere Port and Nottingham: Billy and Richard are members of the GB Wheelchair Basket Ball Squad. They want to inspire everyone to get active and find a sport they can really love.


● Shereece Lee, 18 from Ilford: Shereece is the only teen in her family without a baby, she wants better sex education in schools and wants to establish a scheme where young people teach other young people about sex.


● Hope Milne, 15, Croydon and Abby Thackray, 21 from Epsom: Hope’s brother had an organ transplant when he was four, and Abby’s sister had a double lung transplant when she was 23.

 

Together they want to get more people to sign the register and as importantly, talk to their loved ones about what they want should the worst happen...

 

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 02/08/2011 13:19

X Factor bosses acted swiftly when would-be hopeful Danny Egan was caught on camera snorting drugs; he was booted off the show. alongside his wife who accompanied him.

 

The auditionees were snapped by a hidden camera in the mirror of the make-up room. Apparently, this device has been useful in the past as some contestants have stolen cosmetics, perfumes and other items left in the rehearsal rooms.

 

Danny told The Sun that the drug was mephedrone - also known as Meow Meow. Despite the involvement of a banned substance, police were not called to this incident.

 

An insider said: "This was an isolated incident. The contestants involved were asked to leave immediately and did not perform before the judges."

 

Danny, who is from Leeds, said: "I set up lines in front of the mirror. I'd no idea my face was six inches from a camera. I'm sorry and feel really bad for my wife. She didn't do anything wrong."

 

Anyone taking part in the show has to sign disclaimers agreeing to be filmed throughout the entire auditions process.

 

Today, numerous reports claim the length of some 2011 X Factor episodes in will be as long as three hours. Clearly an attempt by ITV to capitalise on advertising revenue.

 

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 02/08/2011 12:26

David Tennant fans - brace yourselves. Take a look at the ex-Doctor Who star as he'll appear in Sky Atlantic's forthcoming surreal comedy This Is Jinsy.

David Tennant (c) Sky

Guest starring in the very first episode as Mr Slightlyman, David Tennant plays...

 

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 28/07/2011 12:50

It's Harry Hill as you've never seen him! The comedian's in drag for Sky Atlantic Britcom This Is Jinsy, directed by Matt Lipsey whose credits include Psychoville and Little Britain. In short, don't expect twee fluff along the likes of My Family.

 

This Is Jinsy is an eccentric eight-part comedy written by, and starring, newcomers Chris Bran and Justin Chubb. The series follows Arbiter Maven (Chubb) and Operative Sporall (Bran) as they keep a close eye on the 791 residents of Jinsy from the Great Tower in the parish of Veen.

 

Harry Hill (c) Sky

 

Life on the island is rather Orwellian, apparently: each colourful member of the community is monitored by a surveillance system of tessellators; from local folk dribbler Melody Lane to weather monk Tracee Henge.

 

Harry Hill plays sinister Joon Boolay, who administers the island's regular Punishment Round-up.

 

In the words of Lord Sugar, I haven't got a blaaahdy clue about what I've just written. Not a blaaahdy clue! It will all make sense when the first episode airs on Sky Atlantic in September. Or maybe not. 

 

Lorna Cooper

MSN TV editor

 

Follow me on Twitter: coops_msntv


Follow MSN TV on Twitter

 

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 27/07/2011 14:12

Since Kate Middleton's wedding in April, the world has gone mad for her sister Pippa. Baffling though it may be to some (including me), the younger non-royal sibling has become an object of fixation for various celeb mags, tabloids and TV shows on both sides of the AtPippa Middleton (c) PAlantic.

 

The latest to fall under her spell is US channel TLC, a top 10 cable network for women, which will air a one-hour show called Crazy For Pippa in August.

 

TLC, which broadcasts the likes of Cake Boss, LA Ink and What Not To Wear, says its special will focus on "Britain's most eligible bachelorette". Throughout the hour, those closest to Pippa will provide insight into the life and work of the future Queen's sister.

 

The press release states: "those that know and admire her will answer the question, who is Pippa Middleton?"

 

Although the royal wedding catapulted her into the limelight (to date, there are close to 240,000 members of the "Pippa Middleton Ass Appreciation Society") Pippa herself has yet to give an interview on TV. Goodness knows how TLC will fill their hour.

 

Lorna Cooper

MSN TV editor

 

Follow me on Twitter: coops_msntv


Follow MSN TV on Twitter

 

News and gossip from the world of TV

By Lorna Coops 21/07/2011 14:08

Scrubs star Zach Braff is the latest high-profile hacking victim. Hackers accessed the website of the actor/director and posted a fake update in which he supposedly admitted he was gay.

 

Zach Braff (c) Granitz/WireImageThe alleged message left by the hackers was as follows:

 

"To all my loyal fans, I have been hiding this secret inside me for too long...

 

I am excited and proud to announce that I am an open member of the homosexual community.

 

This is not news to those closest to me, and I honor that they have kept it a secret for such a long time."

 

Zach Braff referred to the incident on his Facebook account.

 

As you'd expect from a man best known for comedy, he tried to make light of the situation.

 

"My old website got hacked. Someone issued a 'coming out' statement on my behalf. I'm still straight and in love with my girlfriend. But not too straight; I still love musicals, brunch and Doogie Howser," he said.

 

Zach Braff's publicist said the website was an old one and had not been updated since 2006.

 

Lorna Cooper

MSN TV editor

 

Follow me on Twitter: coops_msntv


Follow MSN TV on Twitter

 

Two and a Half Men poster with UK airdate

By Lorna Coops 20/07/2011 17:38

I guess there's no turning back now. Charlie Sheen can only look on as Ashton Kutcher takes his place in the promotional campaigns for Two and a Half Men.

 

"I can't replace Charlie Sheen, but I'm going to work my ass off to entertain the hell out of people!" he said. Talking of body parts, what the heck is Jon Cryer looking at in the promotional poster?

 

Two and a Half Men stars (c) Comedy Central UK

 

In this very revealing image, Ashton Kutcher is pictured between youngster Angus T Jones (who plays Jake Harper, Charlie's on screen nephew) and Jon Cryer (Charlie's on screen brother).

 

The show's ninth season, with its new star on board, debuts in the US in September. Here in the UK, we'll have to wait until October to judge Aston Kutcher's, er, 'talent'; Comedy Central UK airs the much-anticipated series from 10 October.

 

Lorna Cooper

MSN TV editor

 

Follow me on Twitter: coops_msntv


Follow MSN TV on Twitter

 

Simon's in the pink

By Lorna Coops 13/07/2011 12:50

So that's why Simon Cowell was pictured in a pink jumper! All is revealed in the latest trailer for the US version of X Factor.

 

Demonstrating that he has a sense of humour, the focus is on Simon's notorious Mr Nasty persona... except here, he's Mr Nice.

 

In this latest promotional trailer, Simon's seen tolerating rendition after rendition of the sickly sweet Tomorrow from the movie Annie and he even agrees with Paula Abdul's assessments of the hopefuls. As any American Idol fan can tell you, that's a sure sign hell has frozen over. 

 

The trailer features the full X Factor USA line-up of judges, with Nicole Scherzinger and LA Reid alongside Simon and Paula and former T4 presenter Steve Jones as host. Get ready to press play because it's time... to face... THE MUSIC!

 

 
  • Lorna CooperLorna Cooper

    Nicknamed 'Coops', Lorna is MSN's TV editor. She has too many TV faves to list, but she loves good telly. Read her opinions on the world of TV.

latest tv videos
Poll

What is the best TV drama of 2013 so far?

Thanks for being one of the first people to vote. Results will be available soon. Check for results

  1.  
    9 %
    The Fall
    1,889 votes
  2.  
    25 %
    Game of Thrones
    5,419 votes
  3.  
    23 %
    Broadchurch
    4,988 votes
  4.  
    2 %
    Mad Men
    341 votes
  5.  
    5 %
    Arrow
    1,127 votes
  6.  
    17 %
    Call The Midwife
    3,568 votes
  7.  
    8 %
    Endeavour
    1,665 votes
  8.  
    3 %
    The Americans
    616 votes
  9.  
    4 %
    The Village
    855 votes
  10.  
    4 %
    Mad Dogs
    808 votes

Total Responses: 21,276
Not scientifically valid. Results are updated every minute.